Vacation 2014: Hawaii

What a vacation! ... We have been enjoying our stay here in Hawaii at Aulani, even with the threat of a dooming hurricane - what an experience for us Cailifornias! .. What we have observed, is that hurricanes are way more predictable than an earthquake! With all of the warnings and instructions, Iselle passed us by as a tropical storm and we were prepared enough to barely noticed, but that was not the case for the big island, Hilo. She took a direct hit and everything is a mess but even so, Ohana is strong here and they are working to clean up and get back to normal. Still keep her in your prayers! .. Here on Oahu, we got rain and wind.

We made it a point to talk to the locals and see how they were feeling about the storm and they were not to worried about it, so we didn't worry - okay, we were not panicked but we understood that things could change at any given moment. The Aulani staff were amazing at keeping us safe and posted on the latest developments of the storm. Yes, even that was fun! .. Now, we're getting ready to pack up and head home - aww man! - and get back to "the schedule", but we're relaxed and recharged, so bring on the school year! .. Until next time.

Case Closed: Completed ICAD 2014!

Yeah! I finished the awesome, fantastic, so fun #ICAD (index card a day) 2014 challenge. What a cool way to try new techniques and get your creative mojo a flow. The challenge starts June 1 and continues to July 31. Please visit Tammy over at daisyyellowart.com for more information. ... Once the challenge is done, you end up with 61 cards! Here are some of my ICADs.

I used 4 by 6 index cards. They are the perfect sized blank space to artsy-up and you can use them in your Project Life! ... Yes! Yes! Case closed. Until next time!

Project Strategy: Washi, Washi

It's a hot summer day! I'm so not going outside - I would melt! So instead, I've decided to stay in and organize my washi tape and I must say, someone needs rehab!

I took two 8 1/2 by 11 inch cardstock papers and about an inch of washi tape to create swatch sheets. These sheets will make it nice and easy for me to know what I have. It's going to be a breeze pulling them out while working on a project! ... and they can also double as example sheets for washi tape swaps. Yeah, that's pretty cool! ... Well, this has got to be the fastest case I've closed all year! Until next time!

14th Birthday

Yesterday, Michael Jr. turned 14 years old. We celebrated with our annual trip to the Orange County fair. We laughed, had big food, shopped, and stayed late. On the ride home, Mike and I talked about how time has flown by. He'll be joining the high school crowd this fall and I must admit that I'm a bit nervous. ... Good thing I'm a praying mama!

Awesome, intelligent, kind, loving, super silly, smart, talented, and a gentleman. Absolutely adorable! ... and I thank God everyday for this precious gift we call son. .. Until next time!

Blog Name Settled!

Hey! I have finally settled on a blog name that fits me! It’s my MC name plus what I love to do … storytelling. Yep! You read that right. Back in the day when Hip Hop was new and freestyle battles were fun, I use to take down the boys with my lyrics and style. I can still rock a mic ‘til the break’a dawn (one of the things my kids think is super cool) but I have transferred that skill to my wonderful world of mixed media scrapbooking and daily planning. Now that I am settled on my blog name, I can get to da’blogging. Until next time, I’m OUT … 5,000 G!

Happy 4th of July!

It's the the 4^th of July! I would like to take this time and thank all of the men and women who serve our county in the military. We are aware of all of your sacrifices for our freedom and liberty! .. and words are just not enough! Thank you!

Twelve

My Great Great Grandmother use to say, "chile, you growing up so fast, in a blink of an eye!", and I thought, she is making no sense at all, blinking is fast! Does she not know, that it took forever to turn 12! ... Fast forward to 30 years later, and here it is, I have blinked too!

Happy 12th Birthday to the most amazing, talented, smart, kind, animal lover, justice for all, better not mess with my brother, fashionista, artist I know. You are the joy of our family and I can't imagine our lives without you. Blessed we are to have a daughter like you. We love you baby girl!